BUSINESS AND TECH NEWS

BUSINESS AND TECH NEWS

Irish businesses looks to Hong Kong ahead of Brexit

Buildings are seen in Hong Kong in February 2016 | Image: Li Peng/Xinhua News Agency/PA Images

15:42 12 Jan 2018
Jack Quann
15:42 Friday 12 January 2018

A delegation of 22 Irish businesses are going on a five-day mission to Hong Kong in a bid to strengthen links and increase trade between the two countries.

The trip is led by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

It will see the delegation hold meetings with a mixture of government representatives and Asian business leaders.

The chamber says the purpose of the mission is to identify new opportunities for Irish firms "in potentially lucrative Asian markets".

Dublin Chamber CEO is Mary Rose Burke: "We're seeing more and more Irish companies coming to us looking for help in accessing new markets. "In particular, there is a big interest from Irish firms in exploring the Asian market.

"The impending departure of the UK from the EU has made companies aware of the need for diversification.

"The opportunities for increased trade between Ireland and Hong Kong have never been greater following the news that Cathay Pacific is to start direct flights from Dublin to Hong Kong from June 2018."

Dublin Chamber says the number of firms travelling on its annual mission had almost doubled compared to last year.